Steven Gerrard will be especially sad to see a player he worked closely with leave Liverpool
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard worked with Curtis Jones in the under-18s(Image: PA)
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Liverpool could be on the verge of losing a player more gifted than Steven Gerrard. That was the view of the Anfield icon himself when he spoke about Curtis Jones, who could be set for pastures new this summer.
After a frustrating couple of years, which have seen him struggle to secure regular first-team football, Jones is seemingly ready to cut ties with his hometown club. Inter Milan, having signed John Stones on a free transfer following his Manchester City exit, are looking to sign another Englishman and have already seen a bid of around £21million knocked back.
The Serie A champions remain keen and, as reported by the ECHO, are ready to come back in with a bid of £30m, still £5m short of the Reds' valuation. But the two sides are getting closer and it feels like a case of when, not if, the 25-year-old moves on.
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That would be a sad day for fans of Jones, especially Gerrard, who has given fulsome praise of the midfielder. Speaking to The Anfield Wrap in 2024, he said: "Curtis is more talented than me in terms of technical, in terms of dribbling ability, in terms of manipulating the ball, close control."
On his time working with Jones as coach of the under-18s, Gerrard added: "He felt he was more than ready [to break through]. The academy felt he was ready and the first team were probably thinking, 'Yeah, he's ready to come and be a part of it,' but also to drop in and out.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 25: Curtis Jones #17 of Liverpool looks on during the first half of the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at GEODIS Park on July 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Curtis Jones has been the subject of transfer interest from Inter Milan throughout the summer(Image: Getty Images)
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"Every time Curtis played for me against Everton and Manchester United, he was the man of the match in every single game. That tells me that he's got what you need to play for Liverpool. He needs to stay in this 11 now. He needs to take the challenge on."
Following his appointment, Andoni Iraola spoke highly of Jones, highlighting the importance of keeping a local lad like him around. The new manager said: "For me, he is a great, great player and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing.
Liverpool U18 manager Steven Gerrard talks to Curtis Jones
Gerrard has always rated Jones highly(Image: Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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"It’s very important that he's Scouse, that he's from here. I also like the personality. From the outside at least he looks like a player with good character and I hope we can keep him, not only for this year but for more time."
Despite the warmth of those words, Jones could soon be making a fresh start elsewhere.
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